Projectile tool with rotatable blades

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for firing and propelling one or more projectiles into an earthen or subterranean formation for the purpose of stimulating and enhancing communication between a well bore and said formation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS:

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/998,501 filed Jun. 30, 2014 by Alan L. Nackerud, which isincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND AND FIELD OF INVENTION:

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for driving oneor more projectiles into a subterranean formation for the purpose ofstimulating productive formation and allowing better communicationbetween a productive formation and a well bore. The present invention isto be deployed in a downhole cavity wherein said apparatus or tool hasblades which are able to rotate from a position parallel to the wellbore to a position perpendicular to the well bore whereby longprojectiles may be shot by explosive deep into the subterraneanformation. The present invention is a projectile firing apparatus whichhas new and novel features including but not limited to; a body which isattached to a drill string, one or more rotatable blades, one or moreprojectiles, an explosive, and an electrical energy source or mechanicaltrigger to initiate an igniter and set off an explosive to shoot saidprojectiles into a rock or subterranean formation to provide deep andenhanced communication between productive rock and the well bore. Thepresent invention can be used in a natural cavity or a formed cavityincluding cavities formed by down hole equipment such as theunderreamers contemplated and referred to in U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,121 andU.S. Pat. No. 6,959,774 B2 filed by Alan L. Nackerud, inventor. Thereare of course, additional features of the present invention that will bedescribed herein, however it is to be understood that the invention isnot limited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced andcarried out in various ways. The projectile tool can have more than oneprojectile bore per blade and have more than one projectile per bore andcan be wired or triggered to shoot simultaneously all projectiles orselectively shoot certain projectiles and/or rotated to shoot subsequentprojectiles in various radial patterns or at various depths. Theprojectile tool can have projectiles of various length, diameter andshape and contain a propellant to further lengthen the depth ofpenetration. The projectile tool can have a longer body with a leadingconnection to allow preceding equipment. The projectile tool can have alatch mechanism of different shape or configuration. The projectile toolcan have different methods to initiate the igniter such as a mechanicaltrigger pin and the igniter and explosive can be of various types ofchemical composition. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseologyand terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description andshould not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in art willappreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, mayreadily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other embodiments,structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes ofthe present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above and other advantages and features will become more readilyappreciated and understood from a consideration of the followingdetailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

DRAWINGS-FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a side view of the projectile tool with blades in a parallelposition relative to the body and showing interior features;

FIG. 2 is another side view of the projectile tool with blades in aparallel position relative to the body and showing interior features;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the projectile tool with blades rotated to afiring position perpendicular to the body showing interior features;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the projectile tool with bladesrotated to a firing position perpendicular to the body showing interiorfeatures;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the top blade only showing interiorfeatures;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the projectile tool in a positionparallel to the well bore and drill string;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the projectile tool in a positionpartially deployed to a firing position;

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the projectile tool in a position atthe bottom of a well bore cavity to deploy and lock the blades into afiring ready mode;

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of the projectile tool in a position inthe cavity at a level desired to fire the projectiles;

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of the projectile tool with projectilesfired into the subterranean formation;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the seat to the electric battery energy sourceto fire the projectile tool;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the seat to the electric battery energy sourceto fire the projectile tool;

FIG. 13 is a side view of an electric battery energy source;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the electric battery energy source seated inthe seat;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the latch hook;

FIG. 16 is another side view of the latch hook and latch hook spring;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the drive pin to the latch hook;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the pin to the latch hook;

FIG. 19 is a side view of the retention pin to the latch hook spring;

FIG. 20 is a side view of the set screw to the projectile assembly;

FIG. 21 is a side view of the wiring pipe to the projectile assembly;

FIG. 22 is a side view of the igniter and explosive tube;

FIG. 23 is a side view of the projectile;

FIG. 24 is a side view of the end plug to the rotatable blade projectilebore;

DRAWINGS-REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1. body-   2. blade-   3. projectile-   4. projectile bore-   5. projectile bore end plug-   6. shear pin-   7. explosive-   8. explosive tube-   9. explosive tube end plug-   10. igniter-   11. electric wire-   12. electric wire screw-   13. wiring pipe-   14. latch hook-   15. latch hook slot-   16. latch hook spring-   17. latch hook pin-   18. latch hook spring pin-   19. drive pin-   20. drive pin spring-   21. set screw-   22. seat-   23. electric battery-   24. bearing-   25. bearing pin-   26. pry hole-   27. center disc-   28. blade key-   29. blade key cover-   30. blade stop block-   31. bore cover-   32. snap ring-   33. body angle bore-   34. shoulder bore-   35. blade bore-   36. bolt-   37. latch hook recess

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is a projectile tool with various features andparts shown in FIGS. 1 through 24. The latch hook 14 to each blade 2 isplaced in the latch hook slots 15 of the body 1 and retained in place bya latch hook pin 17 which is retained by a set screw 21. A latch hookspring 16 is hooked at one end onto the latch hook 14 and connected atthe other end to the body 1 by a latch hook spring pin 18 to allow themovement of the latch hook 14 outward from the body 1 to a firingposition and moveable back into the body 1 when not hooked to the blades2. Drive pin 19 assemblies of drive pin 19, drive pin spring 20 anddrive pin retention set screw 21 are placed in each blade 2 to allowpost firing release of the lock hooks. Shear pins 6 and shear pin 6 setscrews 21 are inserted in the shear pin 6 holes. A projectile 3 isinserted in each projectile bore 4 in each rotatable blade 2 to aposition near the shear pin 6 hole of each blade 2. Shear pins 6 andshear pin set screws 21 are inserted in the shear pin 6 holes. Anexplosive tube 8 with explosive 7 and igniter 10 is then placed directlybehind the projectile 3 near the pivot point of each blade 2. Electricwires 11 protruding from the igniter 10 are connected to wires 11 whichrun through a wiring pipe 13 placed behind the explosive tube 8. Thesaid wires 11 are routed through said wiring pipe 13 and into the boreto blade bore 35 and shoulder bore 34 and body angle bores 33 in themain body 1 and connected to the seat 22 for eventual firing. Theprojectile assembly set screws 21 are then placed directly behind thewiring pipe 13 to close and seal the projectile bore 4 at the blade 2end near the blade 2 pivot point. Projectile bore end plugs 5 capable ofpenetration by fired projectiles 3 are inserted in each projectile bore4 near the distal end of each blade 2 to seal the projectile bore 4 fromwell bore fluids. The firing wires 11 are then attached to the energysource seat 22. The energy source seat 22 is then screwed into the topof the projectile tool body 1. After assembly the tool is in a fireready mode, threadedly attached to a drill string and lowered into awell bore and downhole cavity. In a well bore cavity the tool can bepartially opened by rotation of the drill string and/or by engagement ofthe end of the blades 2 with the rock bottom of the cavity whereupon bydrill string weight applied to the tool against the bottom of the cavitythe blades 2 can open to a position perpendicular to the drill stringwhereby the latch hooks 14 lock the blades 2 in said position ready tofire. The tool is then raised or moved to the level desired to fire theprojectiles 3 into the formation. The electric battery 23 energy sourceor other trigger mechanism is then released or lowered into the wellbore whereby it seats and activates the igniter 10 and explosive 7 whichpropels the projectiles 3 outward into the rock or subterraneanformation. Upon firing and setting off the explosive 7 the main force isapplied to the projectile 3 but a small force is applied to the smalldrive pin 19 in each blade 2 which pushes the drive pin 19 outward fromthe blade 2 and against the latch hooks 14 whereby each latch hook 14 isreleased from the respective blade 2 and the blades 2 are able to rotateback to a position for withdrawal from the well bore or to a positionfor further work.

It is therefore to be understood that even though numerouscharacteristics and advantages of the present embodiment have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with the details of thestructure and function of the embodiment, the disclosure is illustrativeonly, and changes may be made within the principles of the embodiment tothe full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms inwhich the claims are expressed and reasonable equivalents thereof andvarious forms of the present invention can be applied to numerousdrilling and completions of earth bores.

I claim:
 1. A down hole well bore projectile tool apparatus to shoot oneor more projectiles into an earthen or subterranean formationcomprising: (a) a slotted body which is threadedly attached or otherwiseconnected to a drill string, (b) wherein said body one or more rotatableblades are attached by a bearing near the top end of said blades, (c)wherein said blades one or more projectile bores run the length orsubstantial length of said blades wherein elongated projectiles withaccompanying ignitors and explosives are placed, and (d) wherein nearthe top of said body a receiving chamber is able to receive an electricbattery or pressure piston or ball or other activation means to set offand initiate an electric current or pressure impulse which istransferred by wire and/or bores to an ignitor and explosive in saidblade projectile bores to fire or shoot projectiles into an earthen orsubterranean formation.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 whereinsaid body a rotatable latch and attached spring are located in the bodyat its axial edge near the top of the slot whereby when said bladesrotate on said bearing to a position perpendicular to or nearperpendicular to said body the said latch will hook onto a matchedrecess in each blade whereby the blades and projectiles are held orlocked in a shooting position ready to fire or shoot the projectiles,and
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a rear entry bore islocated near the top end of each blade to load projectiles andexplosives and ignitors, and
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1wherein each blade at the distal end of each projectile bore is an endplug of a soft steel or similar soft material which is attached bythreads or other means and is penetrable by said projectile when firedwhereby said plug keeps well bore fluid from entering each blade beforedischarge of the explosive, and
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1wherein each blade is a piston and spring located below the said latchrecess to allow the release of the blade from the perpendicular shootingposition when the gas pressure from the explosive discharge enters asmall bore perpendicular from the projectile bore whereby said gaspressure pushes the piston against the latch whereupon the latchdisengages from the blade and the blade is then free to move to aposition parallel to the original well bore for removal of theprojectile tool and drill string from the well bore, and
 6. An apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the projectile itself has a hollowed outchamber or bore running a portion of the length of the projectilewherein an explosive or propellant can be placed that when ignited bythe explosive in the blade projectile bore will allow furtherpenetration of the projectile into the formation or material to bepenetrated.
 7. A down hole well bore projectile tool apparatus to shootone or more projectiles into an earthen or subterranean formationcomprising: (a) a slotted body which is threadedly attached or otherwiseconnected to a drill string, (b) wherein said body one or more rotatableblades are attached by a bearing near the top end of said blades, (c)wherein said blades one or more projectile bores run the length orsubstantial length of said blades wherein elongated projectiles withaccompanying ignitors and explosives are placed, and (d) wherein nearthe top of said body a receiving chamber is able to receive an electricbattery or pressure piston or ball or other activation means to set offand initiate an electric current or pressure impulse which istransferred by wire and/or bores to an ignitor and explosive in saidblade projectile bores to fire or shoot projectiles into an earthen orsubterranean formation, and—wherein said body a rotatable latch andattached spring are located in the body at its axial edge near the topof the slot whereby when said blades rotate on said bearing to aposition perpendicular to or near perpendicular to said body the saidlatch will hook onto a matched recess in each blade whereby the bladesand projectiles are held or locked in a shooting position ready to fireor shoot the projectiles, wherein a rear entry bore is located near thetop end of each blade to load projectiles and explosives and ignitors,wherein each blade at the distal end of each projectile bore is an endplug of a soft steel or similar soft material which is attached bythreads or other means and is penetrable by said projectile when firedwhereby said plug keeps well bore fluid from entering each blade beforedischarge of the explosive, and wherein each blade is a piston andspring located below the said latch recess to allow the release of theblade from the perpendicular shooting position when the gas pressurefrom the explosive discharge enters a small bore perpendicular from theprojectile bore whereby said gas pressure pushes the piston against thelatch whereupon the latch disengages from the blade and the blade isthen free to move to a position parallel to the original well bore forremoval of the projectile tool and drill string from the well bore,wherein the projectile itself has a hollowed out chamber or bore runninga portion of the length of the projectile wherein an explosive orpropellant can be placed that when ignited by the explosive in the bladeprojectile bore will allow further penetration of the projectile intothe formation or material to be penetrated.
 8. A method to shoot or fireone or more projectiles into an earthen or subterranean formationcomprising the steps of: (a) lowering a down hole well bore projectiletool apparatus into a well bore to a natural cavity or mechanically orchemically created cavity within an earthen or subterranean formation,whereupon (b) the said tool blades are moved from a position parallel tothe drill string to a position perpendicular to the drill string byeither centrifugal force rotationally applied to the drill string or bypushing the blades on the well bore bottom whereby the blades splay ormove to an open position, (c) whereupon the blades become locked by alatch near the top of the slot of the tool body which becomes engaged toa matched recess in each blade, (d) whereupon an electric battery orpressure piston or ball is lowered or dropped into the hollow drillstring and is received into a chamber at the top of said projectile toolwhereupon it activates by wires and/or pressure bores an ignitor in eachblade which then sets off or fires the explosive to each projectilewhereupon the projectiles are shot or fired into the earthen orsubterranean formation which results in better communication between theearthen or subterranean formation and well bore.